Explores how constructivism is important to changes taking place in physics education, especially in curriculum development and teaching. Presents an example illustrating children's conceptions of light. Twenty-six references are listed. (YP)

Summaries of the interim report of the working groups for mathematics and science are presented. Describes the list of attainment targets for science 5 to 16, assessment proposals, the attainment targets for technology 5 to 11, and a timetable. (YP)

This article examines the level of understanding by children (six- to seven-year-olds) of the addition and equality symbols. The article reports that about half of the subjects were unable to write the mathematical expression of simple addition while they were able to do it verbally. (YP)

Provided is a perspective on the teaching of a unit on the Earth in space. The themes to be found within the unit, approaches and resources that can be used for teaching and learning the subject, and some of the typical ideas that children hold about astronomical subjects are provided. (KR)

Examines the effects of gender, expectations of success, and social comparison on children's performance on a computer-based task. Finds that the presence of like students facilitated the performance of girls with high expectations of success but was detrimental to those with low expectations; found opposite results for boys. (DSK)

This paper presents a summary of outcomes from the first stage of a 3-year project funded through the Australian Research Council Strategic Partnership Industry Research Training (ARC-SPIRT) scheme and the Catholic Education Office in Victoria. This longitudinal study, in Catholic primary and secondary schools, will investigate the effectiveness…

There may be forces at work that recently have created barriers and restrictions within primary education. Indeed it could be argued that those forces have reduced the children's education to a more rigid and limiting primary schooling. This article explores the influence of target setting and testing, literacy and numeracy hours, American and…

The aim of this small-scale study was to investigate the effect of pupil-generated ground rules on peer group learning in a class of 9-year-old boys. The study examined the type of talk used by participants working in a group before the introduction of ground rules and compared this with that used after the introduction of ground rules. It was…

Background: Underachievement among boys and particular ethnic groups is a major challenge to the education system. Purpose: This paper reports on one local education authority's attempts to address this concern by investigating the characteristics of its schools demonstrating success with the groups causing most concern: black Caribbean, black…

Background: Recent government papers have expressed concern about the poor educational attainment of "looked after" children. Early reading development has been found to be significant in their subsequent academic achievement. The possibility that biosocial factors extraneous to their experiences in public care may underpin their low…

Drawing upon data collected during an investigation into the exclusion (suspension or expulsion) from school of primary age children due to behavioral problems, this paper provides an overview of findings from empirical research, but also considers the possibilities for prevention of primary school exclusion by using education service-based…

This unit, developed by the Third World Science Project, is designed to add a multicultural element to existing science syllabi (for students aged 11-16) in the United Kingdom. The project seeks to develop an appreciation of the: boundless fascination of the natural world; knowledge, skills, and expertise possessed by men/women everywhere;…

This unit, developed by the Third World Science Project, is designed to add a multicultural element to existing science syllabi (for students aged 11-16) in the United Kingdom. The project seeks to develop an appreciation of the: boundless fascination of the natural world; knowledge, skills, and expertise possessed by men/women everywhere;…

Discusses the assessment process in the British National Curriculum. Identifies psychometric issues which are not yet resolved and explores the problem of teacher judgment in assessment. Questions whether the aims of national assessment are compatible with educational goals. Suggests that teachers may not be fully supportive of the program. (KO)

Reports the results of a two-year longitudinal study that examined the development of primary teachers' understanding of force and energy following inservice education. The approach used constructivist strategies and analogical reasoning to promote qualitative learning of science concepts. Interviews, questionnaires, and drawing tasks indicated…